CNC Fabrication & Parts Lab

132 Campbell Hall
contact: Eric Field, emfield@virginia.edu

The CNC Fabrication Lab contains equipment to produce robust models and object prototypes using a variety of computer-driven manufacuring processes and materials. Students and Faculty in the school have access to the room and the equipment for individual use once they complete a required training workshop on a given technology. Workshops are offered on a regular basis and can be setup for individuals or groups by request.

The Parts Lab is a consulting service for students and faculty using the equipment and associated software to produce models and prototypes from your computer files. If you are working on a project in design studio (or any other class) and you want to fabricate an object, part or model using CNC technology, but you either don't know the technology or you want help in how to design, model, or produce it on the equipment, this is your chance. The Parts Lab offers workshops and open consulting times for students and faculty to work directly with us to get your designs and objects made. Through relationships with commercial fabrication shops, we can often also fabricate parts that are beyond the scope of our internal machines.

Equipment:

The lab is open for general use from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.

Only those who have gone through proper training will be allowed onto the machines. See the CNC Lab Policy for details.

Laser Cutters

The room hosts two Universal Laser Systems CO₂ lasers. The 50 watt X-660M has an 18"x32" bed. The 25 watt M-300 has a 12"x24" bed capacity. Both can cut virtually any material other than metals, PVC plastics, or anything reflective. These machines can cut and engrave using both vector (lines/shapes) and raster (pixels) modes from virtually any software program.

Training is offered regularly and can be scheduled by request for small groups or entire classes.

3D Printer / Rapid Prototyping

The Stratasys Dimension SST 3D printer uses Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to build solid ABS plastic model prototypes from 3D stereolithograpy (stl) files. The machine has an 8"x8"x10" build envelope and builds models in layers down to .010 inch thick.

Training is offered periodically or by group request.
To get parts made in lieu of individual training, contact Eric Field.

3-axis Milling and Routing

The MicroMill 2000 and MicroRouter from Denford, Inc. provide full 3-axis CNC and CAM machining capability. Using CAD/CAM software (EdgeCAM / MasterCAM) to generate G-code instructions for the machine, we can translate 2D profiles or 3D solid/surface geometry into machined parts. The router supports 12"x24"x2.5" travel with the ability to feed in and clamp longer stock materials from the side, while the mill supports approximately 9"x3.5"x6" of travel for a single machining operation. Common materials include wood, foam, plastic, aluminum, brass, copper, and mild steel. We've even machined marble.

Training on these machines is more involved and is usually handled through a regular course: Arch 549 CNC Fabrication. Occasionally 2-3 week workshops are offered to train students and faculty.

Models and prototypes can also be fabricated by speaking with the staff of the Parts Lab consulting service who will setup and run your job with you. Faculty and students should contact Eric Field emfield@virginia.edu for consultation.

3D Digitizer / 3D Laser Scanner

Using technology from MicroScribe and NextEngine we can both digitize and scan 3D objects and models into your favorite CAD system. The MicroScribe point digitizer captures point, line, spline and surface information using common 3D modeling and CAD software. These can be used to generate surface and solid models of objects, models, topography, and reliefs. The NextEngine 3D Laser Scanner scans up to a full 360 degree revolution around a small object, creating a full polygon mesh model for export into any 3D CAD software.